6 Political Magazines Open to Submissions

When thinking about which markets match up with exploring emotion and conflict, it eventually dawned on me that political magazines are the best fit—a category that I’ve been avoiding for years now, probably because politics are rife with conflict and strong emotions. Yet, maybe that’s why politics is such a strong category as well.

Like Writer’s Digest itself, some of these magazines have been around for more than 100 years. As WD has covered the craft and business of writing, these magazines have covered politics. While two of these magazines do publish poetry, they’re mostly all looking for nonfiction pitches.

Regardless of your political leanings, I hope these magazines will give you a good place to start if you’re interested in writing for political magazines.

Dissent is a magazine published three times per year (winter, spring, and fall) that covers the democratic left. Over the years, contributors have included Richard Wright, Norman Mailer, Roxane Gay, Dorothy Day, Chinua Achebe, Octavio Paz, and Czesław Miłosz.

The editors say, “We publish the very best in political argument and take pride in cultivating the next generation of labor journalists, cultural critics, and political polemicists.”

Dissent considers nonfiction articles focused on politics, economics, and culture—and discourages pieces with footnotes. Potential writers can submit pitches or manuscripts on spec for the print magazine or website via email to submissions@dissentmagazine.org.

The editors say, “Dissent takes pride in bringing new writers into the magazine, and we make an effort to read and reply to every submission. If you do not hear back from us within 3–4 weeks and decide to send your submission elsewhere, please send us a note. Let us know in the subject line of your email if your article is time sensitive.”

In These Times is a political magazine focused on new movements in the American Left. Founded in 1976, In These Times is published 10 times per year.

The editors say, “In These Times carved out a unique space on the Left, bridging coverage of social movements with progressive electoral politics while publishing groundbreaking investigations that challenge the growing influence of corporations over government and our daily lives. That legacy continues on to this day. Our journalism amplifies the ideas, strategies, and tactics emerging from grassroots organizing and labor efforts across the country, providing the public attention and intellectual fuel that progressives need to leverage, build, and wield power.”

Prospective writers can pitch ideas for several categories, including Features (1,200–4,000 words for reported stories or investigative features or 800–1,500 words for opinion and think pieces); Dispatches (750–850 words); Up for Debate (600–750 words); Culture (1,450–1,700 words); and Labor (700–1,200 words). Find the full guidelines at InTheseTimes.com/submissions and send pitches to submissions@inthesetimes.com.

The editors say, “We are particularly interested in submissions that focus on labor. Writers from marginalized communities are especially encouraged to submit.”

Founded in 1955, National Review is a monthly magazine focused on conservative politics and commentary. In addition to its magazine and website, National Review also releases podcasts and videos.

The editors say, “National Review defends and advances the ordered liberty that is necessary to human flourishing and to a free, prosperous, and strong America.”

Prospective writers can pitch articles via email to submit@nationalreview.com. Be sure to include the word “Submission” in your email subject line.

The editors say, “We ask that you send only a query, written in the text of the email. No attachments or full articles, please. We will reply within 10 business days if we are interested. Due to the volume of submissions we receive, we regret that we cannot reply to all pitches.”

The Nation is a monthly progressive magazine. Founded in 1865 by abolitionists, The Nation is also only one of two magazines in this list that publishes poetry.

The editors say, “We’ve long believed independent journalism has the capacity to bring about a more democratic and equitable world. Our writers shift paradigms and open minds. Our deep investigative reporting launches congressional hearings, forces policy change, and shapes news cycles. Instigating progress: It’s not only our legacy, it’s our continued commitment to future generations of torchbearers. We believe in intellectual freedom. We value facts and transparency. We argue that dissent is patriotic, and we hold the powerful to account, no matter their political persuasion.”

Potential writers can pitch pieces for comments (750 words), articles (1,500–2,500 words), and investigative reports (2,000–6,000 words) via their online contact form (TheNation.com/contact-us)—be sure to select “Submissions to the magazine” at the top of the form. Poets can submit up to three poems per submission (and up to six poems per year) to their separate poetry online submission form (Submissions.thenation.com).

The editors say, “On the domestic front, we are particularly interested in civil liberties, civil rights, labor, economics, environmental, privacy and policing, and feminist issues and politics. Because we have readers all over the country, it’s important that stories have national significance. In our foreign affairs coverage, we are interested in pieces on international political, economic, and social developments. We are strongly committed to investigative reporting.”

The New Republic is published 10 times per year (and it’s the other magazine on this list that accepts poetry submissions). Founded in 1914, The New Republic was focused on bringing liberalism into the modern era as the nation was transformed by the Industrial Revolution and mass immigration.

The editors say, “Today’s New Republic is wrestling with the same fundamental questions: how to build a more inclusive and democratic civil society, and how to fight for a fairer political economy in an age of rampaging inequality.”

Prospective writers should submit queries or completed manuscripts on spec via email to the appropriate editor for the section (find sections and editors at (NewRepublic.com/pages/contact#submissionguidelines). Up to five pages of poetry (no single poem should exceed one page in length) can be submitted via email to poetry@tnr.com.

The editors say, “If you are pitching an idea for an essay, reportage, or other nonfiction, briefly explain your angle, why it’s timely, and why you’re equipped to write it; generously hyperlink any references and citations in your pitch, so the editor can easily vet it. If you are sending a completed submission, briefly summarize it in your email and either embed or attach your full article. In all cases, include a brief biography and links to examples of your work.”

Reason is a libertarian magazine published 11 times per year. Founded in 1968, Reason offers video, podcasts, and newsletters in addition to its magazine and website.

The editors say, “We produce hard-hitting independent journalism on civil liberties, politics, technology, culture, policy, and commerce. As the magazine of free minds and free markets, Reason exists outside of the left/right echo chamber. Our goal is to deliver fresh, unbiased information and insights to our readers, viewers, and listeners every day.”

While the editors will consider unsolicited manuscripts (600–5,000 words), they strongly prefer queries to submissions on spec. Both can be sent to Senior Editor Brian Doherty via email at submissions@reason.com or by post (5737 Mesmer Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90230).

The editors say, “Queries should give a good idea of the proposed article’s contents and, where applicable, sources. Please tell us your relevant background and send samples of your published writings. We look for original analysis and research and do not like simple rehashes of well-worn libertarian positions.”

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